Related Articles

After measuring swords in front of each other the alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir have started bleeding each other with different cuts and administering body blows to cause maximum pain.

On Monday when AICC General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi issued a press statement announcing names of 15 prominent politicians and retired state govt officers and activists who had expressed their desire to join hands of the Congress party it sprung a big surprise and left the National Conference stunned. Two months ago congress leader from Ganderbal Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar was lured by the National Conference much to the chagrin of the congress party as it had accused the ally of playing a foul play.

Mohd Aslam Goni,dumped by his mentor Dr Farooq Abdullah after JKCA scam had surfaced figured on the list of those who had expressed their wish to join the congress party and the final approval was accorded by the party President Sonia Gandhi after clearing all the decks.

Goni’s decision to leave National Conference may not harm the prospects of the party in the coming polls but it has surely caused embarrassment to the party leadership as he was closely associated with Dr Farooq Abdullah in different capacities and also served as Attorney General under his rule.

Murtaza Khan, ex PDP MLC sulking after he was denied second term in the legislative council, Thakur Balbir Singh,General Secretary of PDP was being ignored by the party top brass and sidelined in the decision making process also figured on the list and it surprised many political pundits as Mufti Mohd Sayeed was seen to be a shrewd political strategist who knew his organisational strengths and weaknesses.

Another surprise entry on the list of those joining the congress was former Director Information Farooq Renzu Shah and former Director School education and DC, Kathua Zahida Khan. They both were looking forward to start their political careers after serving the state for over three decades in different capacities.

Shafiq Mir, chairman of the J&K Panchayat Conference who was in the fore front of championing the cause of elected panches and sarpanches also joined hands with the congress party and is aiming to earn picket ticket to contest the elections.It remains to be seen whether the arrival of these politicians and retired state govt employees and political activists will bolster the congress party’s campaign and add teeth to it or they will simply fade away in the crowd in the election season.